plankton

[ plangk-tuhn ]

noun

1. the aggregate of passively floating, drifting, or somewhat motile organisms occurring in a body of water, primarily comprising microscopic algae and protozoa.

plankton

/ plæŋkˈtɒnɪk; ˈplæŋktən /

noun

1. the organisms inhabiting the surface layer of a sea or lake, consisting of small drifting plants and animals, such as diatoms Compare nekton

plankton

/ plăngk′tən /

1. Small organisms that float or drift in great numbers in bodies of salt or fresh water. Plankton is a primary food source for many animals, and consists of bacteria, protozoans, certain algae, cnidarians, tiny crustaceans such as copepods, and many other organisms.
2. Compare benthos

Derived Forms

• planktonic, adjective

Other Words From

• plank·ton·ic [plangk-, ton, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plankton¹

1890–95; < German, special use of neuter of Greek planktós drifting, equivalent to plang-, variant stem of plázesthai to drift, roam, wander + -tos verbid suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of plankton¹

C19: via German from Greek planktos wandering, from plazesthai to roam

Example Sentences

These sensors can relay information about the concentration of plankton in the water, how much they are growing and respiring, the amount of oxygen they’re producing and carbon dioxide they’re uptaking.

From Popular-Science

The results for hydra and plankton extend Thompson’s analysis of whole organisms.

From Nautilus

Andersen is now developing plankton simulator software based on the underlying physical ideas to provide estimates of plankton diversity and function under different ocean conditions.

From Nautilus

At a glance, these xenobots might be mistaken for other microscopic aquatic animals — amoebas or plankton or Giardia parasites — swimming here and there with apparent agency.

From Quanta Magazine

As the fleas feed on plankton that consume algae, algae blooms begin to sprout up across a lake.

From Popular-Science

Jellyfish eat the eggs and larvae of other species higher on the food chain, as well as the plankton that those larvae would eat.

From The Daily Beast

Plankton, those wily producers of every second breath of oxygen you breath, will be naked and vulnerable.

From The Daily Beast

Both fish and plankton are consumed by humpback whales as well as by other predators.

From Project Gutenberg

By autumn, plankton concentrations diminish as light and nutrient levels decrease.

From Project Gutenberg

The same method is followed by the pretty radiolaria which live floating (as plankton) at various depths of the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Nine tenths of the species are marine; of these some are pelagic, and their transparent forms constitute a part of the plankton.

From Project Gutenberg

The expedition made significant observations of the role of plankton in the biological utilization of ocean fallout.

From Project Gutenberg